Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) introduced the bipartisan Fuel the Force Act at a press conference in Washington, D.C., joined by over 30 law enforcement officials from Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District. The legislation aims to address recruitment and retention challenges within law enforcement by providing targeted financial relief.
The bill, co-led by Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp Perez (D-WA-06), was developed in collaboration with law enforcement professionals and Christina Nelson, founder of the nonprofit Fuel the Force. The act proposes exempting the first $100,000 of ordinary income from federal taxation for full-time officers with at least five years of service. It is endorsed by both the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).
In his remarks, Congressman Fitzpatrick stated: “The need for professional, exceptional law enforcement has never been greater — and the dangers our officers face have never been more real. These men and women stand on the front lines of that challenge, not for glory or recognition, but out of an unshakable sense of duty to the communities they serve. I know firsthand the discipline, courage, and sacrifice this calling demands.”
He continued: “Some of the finest law enforcement officers in the entire nation serve right here in Pennsylvania’s First District — and I’ve had the privilege of working side by side with them for years. This legislation was built with them — and with the incredible leadership of Christina Nelson, my longtime partner and a relentless advocate for our law enforcement community. Together, we translated local experience into national action, ensuring the men and women who serve with honor and professionalism are supported, respected, and empowered to lead.”
Fitzpatrick concluded: “At a time when departments are stretched thin and fewer are answering the call, this bill sends a clear message: if you step up to serve, your service will be respected, supported, and sustained. That’s what this legislation does — and it’s what our officers deserve.”
Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez added: “Last year, during Police Week, law enforcement officers told me that they had colleagues living on food stamps. That’s enraging to me, and it goes hand in hand with what I hear from local law enforcement across Southwest Washington about how incredibly challenging it is to keep new officers on the force because of budget constraints and the nature of the job. Departments do their best work when they’re able to build durable connections with the folks they serve. Those relationships take time to develop, so whenever a recruit leaves things go back to square one. This bipartisan bill addresses the retention issue head on to support law enforcement officers and keep our communities safe.”
Christina Nelson explained her motivation behind founding Fuel the Force: “I started Fuel the Force with one simple goal: to show law enforcement officers that their service is seen and appreciated,” she said. “Today, thanks to Congressman Fitzpatrick, we’re turning that gratitude into action. Officers across the country are carrying heavier workloads with fewer resources, and too many are being pushed out at the point in their careers when their experience matters most. The Fuel the Force Act offers real support by increasing take-home pay without creating new mandates or red tape. I’m grateful to my friend and partner, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, for standing with us over the years in this shared mission. We will always stand with the men and women who protect our communities every day, and we will keep fighting for them.”
Middletown Township Police Chief Joe Bartorilla commented: “This effort grew directly out of real conversations with law enforcement here in our community. Congressman Fitzpatrick—a former FBI agent and longtime partner to our local departments—listened to those concerns and, alongside Christina Nelson, turned them into action through the Fuel the Force Act. We’re proud to support this initiative because it delivers meaningful, pro-law-enforcement solutions—helping departments retain experienced officers, strengthen public safety, and better protect the communities we serve here at home and across the nation.”
John Hoyt of FOP stated: “Law enforcement officers work tirelessly every day to protect their communities. In doing so, they shoulder immense mental, physical,and emotional demands.There’s no law or policy that can mitigate these pressures,but by working with a longtime,trusted partner like Congressman Fitzpatrick who understands therealities our officers face,we can take meaningful steps to support themand their familiesby providing targeted financial reliefand support.By easing unnecessary financial burdens,this approach helps experiencedofficers remainonjoband encourages next generationto committo careerin public serviceensuring departmentsremain strongand communitiessafe,”said FOP National President Patrick Yoes.
Mathew Silverman,presidentof FLEOA added:“Lawenforcementofficersacrossthecountryarebeingaskedtodo morewithless—longhours,mountingresponsibilities,andincreasingrisksallwhilerecruitmentandretentioncontinuetosuffer.TheFueltheForceActdirectlyaddressesthatrealitybyprovidingmeaningful,tangiblefinancialrelieftothemenandwomenwhodedicatetheirlivestopublicsafety.Byexcludingaportionofofficers’earnedincomefromtaxation,thislegislationrecognizesthesacrificesinherentintheprofessionanddeliversreal-worldsupportthatofficersandtheirfamilieswillfeelimmediately.FLEOAisproudtosupportthiscriticaleffort.AsaformerSpecialAgent,CongressmanFitzpatrickbringsfirsthandunderstandingofthedemandsstresses,andpersonalcostsoflawenforcementservice.Hislongstandingcommitmenttothelawenforcementcommunityisreflectedinthisthoughtfulimpactfullegislation,andwecommendhiscontinuedleadershipinstandingupforthosewhoprotectourcommunitieseveryday.”
Key provisions include allowing full-time law enforcement officers with at least five years’ service to exclude up to $100,000 annually from federal income tax; incentivizing experienced personnel beyond five years; broad eligibility covering various roles including police,court,and corrections;and delivering direct relief through existing tax code mechanisms rather than new programs.
Brian Fitzpatrick has represented Pennsylvania’s 1st district since 2017 after replacing Mike Fitzpatrick in Congress (https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/about). He was born in Philadelphia in 1973 (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/F000466), lives in Levittown,and holds degrees from La Salle University(1996) as well as JD degrees from Pennsylvania State University,Carlisle(2001).
FueltheForcewasfoundedbyChristinaNelsonin2022asameansofsupportinglocalofficers.Sinceitsfounding,NelsonhaspartneredwithFitzpatricktocreatepracticalsolutionsforlawenforcementchallenges.TheFueltheForceActistheculminationoftheseefforts,basedoninputfromPennsylvania’sFirstDistrictdepartmentsandofficers.
